Joint pain can raise a lot of questions, especially when you’re trying to figure out if arthritis is behind it or something else is going on. Getting to the source can help you make sense of your pain and find the care that’s right for you.
At Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin in Hudson and Rice Lake, WI, double board-certified pain physicians Dr. John Brendel and Dr. Matthew Thorson treat persistent joint pain, bringing decades of experience in pain management, regenerative medicine, and interventional care.
What Does Arthritis Joint Pain Feel Like?
Arthritis includes several conditions that affect the joints, so symptoms can differ. Osteoarthritis, for example, develops as cartilage and other joint tissues change over time.
Clues that your joint pain could be related to arthritis include:
- Stiffness: The joint may feel stiff after sitting or resting.
- Reduced movement: Bending or fully moving the joint may become difficult.
- Swelling: Inflammation around the joint can cause visible or noticeable swelling.
- Recurring pain: Discomfort may repeatedly return and gradually interfere with walking, exercising, or other activities.
What Else Can Cause Joint Pain?
Pain in a joint doesn’t automatically mean arthritis. A joint contains cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding muscles, and problems involving these structures can cause discomfort.
Other possible causes include:
- Tendinitis or bursitis
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures or previous trauma
- Sports or overuse injuries
- Joint inflammation
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
The timing of your pain can give your doctor useful clues. Pain that began after an injury, for instance, may point toward a different cause than stiffness and discomfort that developed gradually.
How Can You Know What’s Causing Your Pain?
Symptoms alone aren’t always enough to distinguish arthritis from another joint condition. We can review your medical history, examine the painful joint, and assess factors such as tenderness, swelling, movement, and when your discomfort occurs.
Depending on your findings, X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI imaging may help clarify what’s happening inside or around the joint. Once we identify the source, we can choose treatment based on the condition rather than simply masking the pain.
Find the Cause of Your Joint Pain in Hudson, WI
You don’t have to guess why your joint keeps hurting. Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin can evaluate persistent joint pain and discuss treatment options that fit your diagnosis.
To schedule a consultation in Hudson or Rice Lake, WI, call 715-234-7246.